Sonic the Hedgehogis a difficult franchise to be a dedicated fan of, not because of the admittedly variable quality of the games, but because people who aren’t fans are usually antagonistic. Most Sonic fans just like the games, enjoy the characters and have fun talking about it, just to get told in extreme detail how bad a game from 18 years ago was.
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Set the stage for a hero’s parade.
That said, this list won’t be that. I’m a massive fan of the Sonic series—I have been my whole life—and I think it’s fun to dive into the games and discuss the best.
I’ll be trying to pick out the games I think are the greatest, while being somewhat objective, though given it’s such a divisive series, I’ll be sticking to my guns on what I felt playing all these games.
I won’t be considering fangames for this list, particularly because the Sonic fangame community is so good at what they do that I think it would deserve a separate list, so even though Project 06 definitely could make it on here, I’ll hold off for now.
10Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Give and Take
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Classic Sonic is going to show up quite a bit more than the other eras, and that’s because, starting withSonic 2, the 2D Sonic formula had been nailed.
These games were all about speed, with just a bit of precision platforming as a punishment for missing the top route. Not to mention, they hadincredibly good music, and great momentum-focused gameplay.
This falls apart during the last few zones of Sonic 2, and Metropolis is absolute garbage, but an 85% isn’t a bad grade, and the first half is awesome.
Levels like Chemical Plant, Casino Night, Hill Top, and Aquatic Ruin are all great, speed-focused stages that’ll leave you wanting more.
9Sonic Superstars
A Supersonic Fight
Sonic Superstars
While most 2D-focused Sonic adventures in the modern era have disappointed,Mania paved the way for Superstarsand I think this game succeeded in being a worthy successor.
Call it Sonic 5 if you want, because Superstars properly recreated the Classic Sonic gameplay seen in games like Sonic 2 and 3 in an awesome 2.5D style.
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The only issues I have are the bosses slowing things to a screeching halt and, overall, just being about as consistent as Sonic 2 is in quality.
It’s not bad, though, and if you were hungering for more awesome spin-dash launching off of slopes to get on the top route, then this has that in spades.
8Sonic Colors
Sonic’s True Colors
Sonic Colors
Sonic Colorswas celebrated at the time of its release for being a simplistic, fun return to what Unleashed did, anddespite the remake’s best efforts, I still remember it like that.
It won’t challenge you as much as Unleashed, but the Wisps make for a fun gimmick, and the 2D sections aren’t as bad as Twitter would have you believe.
It’s pretty standard boost gameplay, though it’s a lot lighter on the 3D than others; it feels great and is especially impressive for the Wii.
It’s fun to boost through each level and skip platforming segments by cleverly using the simplified Sonic. Overall, it’s just good fun and not much else.
7Sonic Unleashed
Like I’m Lost in a Dream
Sonic Unleashed
Sonic Unleashed is a bit of a rollercoaster, with the Werehog notoriously being slower-paced in this one, bucking the trend of most Sonic games.
That said, it’s still pretty great, with the daytime levels being some of the absolute best boost gameplay to date, and the Werehog levels being decent fun.
It’s not the best beat-em-up ever, but the combos you can perform, and the massive move list make it all entertaining, on top of the immaculate modern Sonic gameplay.
I’ll never forget Empire City, Rooftop Run, or Windmill Isle for as long as I live. They’re incredibly fast-paced, fun, and have the best vibes ever.
6Sonic Adventure DX
Got So Much To Do
Sonic Adventure
TheSonic Adventureera is known for its fun jank and awesome open-ended level design, and I can’t help but adore this pair of great games.
Whether I enjoy the first or second more depends mainly on my mood as they are so closely linked, but Adventure 1 is a little less tightly designed, skipping around six unique characters.
I love running through Sonic’s awesome stages, flying through Tails' stages is fun, Gamma’s run ‘n’ gun gameplay is awesome, and Knuckles is, well, alright.
But it’s no secret that Big and Amy are pretty lacking and feature heavily for most of the game. But, all in all, still a seminal Sonic title to pick up and play.
5Sonic Adventure 2
Keep On Moving
Sonic Adventure 2
Sonic Adventure 2is a much more streamlined game, still having six characters but with only three styles of gameplay, and aside from perhaps the treasure hunting, I think it’s all a bit more polished.
It’s enjoyable to make massive skips, roll around at the speed of sound, and get massive combos, and Knuckles is, once again, alright.
It also has a way more cohesive story and insanely good music, and Sonic and Shadow’s levels focus more on speed and cool set pieces, which are made for iconic locales.
If you don’t remember City Escape and sing along to it every time, love watching Shadow grind down Radical Highway, and try to do cool skips on Final Rush, you’re an odd individual.
4Sonic Frontiers
Always To New Horizons
Sonic Frontiers
Massive hot take to say thatSonic Frontiers' admittedly somewhat bland islands beat out the Adventure games, but I’m splitting hairs here, personally.
I love running aroundthe massive, sprawling landscapes, doing a bunch of really fun bits of platforming on the way to wherever I’m going, and just having fun controlling Sonic.
It’s a massive success to have your game be fun just on the merit of controlling the character and nothing else, and Sonic Frontiers does that for me.
That, and the boss fights, are the most exciting and awesome things to happen in this entire franchise, and I think I’ve listened to Undefeatable and Break Through It All every month for 2 years.
3Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Keep The Dream Alive
Sonic has been chasing the massive success of early outings for as long as I can remember, and games like Sonic and Knuckles 3 is exactly why that is.
Sonic 3 & Knuckles is peak 90s, and an incredibly consistent, fun game. It’s got three unique characters who all get unique routes and secrets in every level, and I never stop finding new stuff whenever I replay this game.
Sonic X Shadow Generations Review
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I love blasting through Angel Island, running on water in Hyrdocity (pronounced hi-draw-city), zooming across the skies in Flying Battery, and not folding to the barrels in Carnival Night.
In my opinion, this game holds up better than nearly any other game from the era due to the incredibly polished visual style and animations, as well as awesome music, which is an incredible feat.
2Sonic Mania
Kiss Your Fears Goodbye
Sonic Mania
Notably, I don’t think Sonic 3&K is the best Classic Sonic game, and that’s becauseSonic Maniasuccessfully dethroned it about 23 years later.
It’s made by passionate fangame creators turned full-on indie devs, and they did a phenomenal job, makingan experience that deliversincredible throwback levels and cool new zones.
“Lights, Camera, Action!” might be one of my favorite songs from the entire series, and thanks to Tee Lopes, the entire OST makes for a transcendent listening experience.
Sure, I would’ve liked it if it were a little less on the easy side, and I’m sick and tired of seeing Green Hill Zone, but the originality on display, even in rehashes of old levels, makes this a game I’ll always adore.
1Sonic X Shadow Generations
No Ghost To Bring You Down
Sonic X Shadow Generations
Pairing a Sonic release that learns the best lessons from every game on this list with one of the best games from over a decade ago was the perfect storm forSonic X Shadow Generationsto succeed.
Sonic’s side is the same high-speed action platforming you’d expect from Unleashed, but with a side of Classic Sonic, and he’s quite fun in his own right.
But the real highlight of this game is Shadow’s campaign, offering upsome of the best level designwe’ve ever seen in the series, feeling like the best cocktail of Boost and Adventure gameplay.
I’ll never get tired of going through this game, whether it’s with the Blue Blur or Edgy Hedgy, and both combine to easily make the best Sonic title ever made.
Sonic X Shadow Generations: Hardest Challenges Ranked
Sonic X Shadow Generations isn’t really a difficult game, but this list shows off the most challenging things it has on offer.
